As some of you know BimmerBoost attempted to do a giveaway previously with Rob Beck of RB Turbo which did not work out due to prematurely giving away turbos that were not in stock or ready to ship. Things unfortunately did not go as planned and timelines did not align.
This left me feeling bad that Rob Beck needlessly took flack when he didn't do anything wrong and only tried to help. If anything, BimmerBoost.com was responsible for pushing to give away turbos too early and Rob should not be forced to adhere to a schedule that is not his own.
I contacted Rob and asked him if we could try this again to make things right and celebrate the holidays in a positive fashion with our members. What better gift could there be than free upgraded N54 turbos?
This time around the turbos are in stock and ready to go so when the holiday contest is over they will be ready to ship. 2016 has been a tough year for many of us and I simply want to thank the members here, BMW enthusiasts, our lurkers, and our vendors for sticking together through tough times.
What we are giving away is $3000 toward any turbos or products in the 2017 RB Turbo catalog. Spend it however you like!
I wish you all the best going into an uncertain 2017. I hope it is a prosperous year for you and your families. There is much more to life than the forums and cars but this place is a fun break from reality from time to time. You all make a real difference in my life and I wish to repay the favor. We're celebrating six years of BimmerBoost, who truly thought we'd get this far?
Happy Holidays to you and your families!
Contest Details:
How to enter: Post in this thread that you wish to enter and I will record how many rep points you have at the time.
Requirements: Minimum 10 rep points to enter.
How to gain raffle entries: Every rep point you gain from your time of entry qualifies as one raffle entry. You gain rep points by posting and creating threads.
Example: You have 10 rep points at the time of entry. You have 20 rep points after the contest is over. 20 - 10 = 10 so you have 10 entries in the raffle.
The more you post and contribute the better your odds of winning. There is no limit on how many entries you can gain.
Contest dates: 12/3/2016 - 1/16/2016
The winner can choose from anything in the RB catalog below including Super RB EVO's with either option A, B, or C. Any other options will have to be paid by the winner along with shipping.
First place: $3000 RB Turbo credit
Second place: $400 BMS store credit
Third place: Autographed picture of my dog:
*BimmerBoost reserves the right to disqualify any contestant for any reason including cheating or multiple screen names.

2.0 liter turbo I4 vs. 3.0 liter twin turbo I6 and the four-cylinder comes out on top? Yep. To be fair, the MKVII Golf R has a turbo upgrade courtesy of APR and their Stage III+ kit while the BMW S55 3.0 liter I6 is on the factory turbos but the Golf also has an engine 2/3 the size.
The F80 M3 is tuned with a BMW JB4 piggyback but what supporting mods it has or what map it is running is unknown.
This is the Golf R mod list:
APR Stage 3+ Kit APR ECU + TCU Tune
APR Intake
APR Intercooler
Milltek Valved Catback System
USP Cool Flow Filter Housing
USP Cool Flow DSG Filter Housing
USP High Flow Turbo Inlet Hose
Spulen Catch Can
KW V3 Coilovers
Vossen VFS1
P3 VIDI Gauge﻿
The all wheel drive dual clutch Golf R getting the better elapsed time here is no surprise. However, it also traps higher than the M3 as well. Certainly impressive performance by the Golf.
Video courtesy of USP Motorsports: https://www.youtube.com/uspmotorsports

Who saw this coming? The most interesting part of the 2016 Formula 1 season was watching Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton duke it out for the driver's championship. Rosberg ended up winning but it was a battle until the very end.
Perhaps that battle drained Rosberg's energy? His statement is as follows:
Rosberg is still under contract and signed a two year extension recently. He is leaving a lot of money on the table but he already has too much money to care.
The rivalry with Lewis Hamilton seems to have taken its toll:
He retires on top. Not a bad way to go out. The question now is who will challenge Hamilton?

This isn't some bogus marketing time. This is not some result with a sandbagged car. This is an independent result at the hands of the German publication Sport Auto who regularly times cars on the 'Ring to see how they stack up.
As a reminder, Sport Auto's Nurburgring laptime for the M4 GTS did not match BMW's claimed time. Sport Auto got a 7:37 out of it. That is just over 26 seconds slower than what they achieved with the AMG GT R. In other words, an eternity.
It's a mind numbingly quick laptime. Honestly, AMG did not just only kick BMW in the balls with their performance credentials but just about everyone else. Look at these times from other Sport Auto tests:
Nurburgring (Sport Auto)
AMG-GT R - 7:10.92
Porsche 918 Spyder - 7:13
Ferrari 488 GTB - 7:21
Porsche 997 GT2 RS - 7:24
Porsche 991 GT3 RS - 7:28
This is just over 10 seconds quicker than the Ferrari 488 GTB. That's insane.
Mercedes-AMG is the real deal and is not playing second fiddle to anyone. The AMG GT R is quite simply an incredible achievement.

Why is it California BMW dealers doing this? It feels a bit like collusion, doesn't it? They seem to be restricting supply and marking up the M4 GTS models allocated to them. It's shady, greedy, stupid, and insulting.
Remember when Sterling BMW asked for $60k over? That seems like a good deal compared to the $110k over Santa Maria BMW wanted. Well, now New Century BMW is getting in on this blatant gouging by California dealers with a $100k markup of their own.
The M4 GTS is not even worth the MSRP of $134,200. It's a failure. It's a joke of a track car. It isn't worth the money. Who would pay over sticker? Who? If you know of someone that stupid, please e-mail BimmerBoost with the details.
California BMW dealers are the worst. Period.

If you are going to claim to build a limited edition car and this is a major selling point, keep it limited. An additional 103 M4 GTS models being produced is not some huge amount but it certainly means you can not believe BMW's marketing material.
BMW stated there would not be more than 700 M4 GTS vehicles produced. Whoops. A big whoops if you happened to be one of the people dealers took advantage of by putting a huge markup on the car under the guise of it being limited to only 700 models. It certainly will be interesting to see if anyone who paid over sticker makes a big deal about this.
There are now over 800 cars according to the VIN numbers with some extra 27 for promotional purposes such as magazine comparisons and car shows.
The bottom line? Don't trust BMW's marketing.
Source

Back in October Pure Turbos announced a Stage 1 Turbocharger upgrade for the B58 3.0 liter I6 engine. The problem with the B58 engine is that it has a fuel cap limit around the 400 wheel horsepower mark. That is where Fuel-It! comes into the picture.
This cap is software based so in the future it will likely be solved. How long that takes is anyone's guess but for now you can get around it in other ways. The results speak for themselves:
We might see the B58 crack 500 whp pretty soon:
The B58 may be the new N54.

You likely know about the legal action Weistec is bringing against Dime R&D. While the legal wheels churn plenty of shady nonsense is going on behind the scenes. Recently, Dime was caught using a Weistec dynograph for promotion of their products. Well, here we go again.
The W205 C63 AMG S you see in the picture with number 812 is running the Weistec W.3 M177 turbo system. Dime decided to promote the car as their own saying it has a full Dime upgrade system. It doesn't. As you can see in the screencap BS was quickly called and Dime deleted the upload. Well, not before it was saved.
Why would anyone do something so stupid when the owner clearly would see it? Desperation? Desire for attention? Doing something so blatantly misleading without any regard for the truth sure makes you wonder.
Here is what the car actually ran with the Weistec parts:
Integrity still matters to some people.

Remember Forgeline announcing their Carbon+Forged wheels last week? Well, they are going to cost you $4k per wheel. Ok, to be accurate a 20 inch wheel starts at $3850 but you might as well round up. A set of these after taxes, tires, and mounting is going to run almost $20k.
Who is going to buy these? Is there a market, sure. However, it's not going to be your average enthusiast when a set with tires might cost more than what their whole car is worth.
Forgeline also did not provide any weights. If someone is going to pony up this kind of coin for a carbon barrel wheel they want to know what it weighs or else what are they paying for?
If interested, start saving now.
Cutting-Edge Directional Split-Five Spoke Center Machined From 6061-T6 Forged Aluminum
Thickly-Scuplted Angular Spokes
"Wrapped" Lug Holes
Thick Chamfered Spoke Bases That Alternate Along the Rim Register
Revolutionary Proprietary Carbon Fiber Barrel
Lightweight
Low Rotational Inertia
Minimal Deflection
Excellent Fatigue Strength
Carbon+Forged Carbon Fiber Barrel Exceeds All Existing SAE and TUV Test Specifications
Carbon+Forged Carbon Fiber Barrel Surpasses the AK-LH 08 Radial Impact Test Standard
Intended for Street Use. Not Recommended for Track Applications.
Available in 20 and 21-inch Fitments
Customizable Finish Options (Aluminum Center Only)
Carbon+Forged Carbon Fiber Barrel Finished in High-Gloss Natural Carbon Weave
Legendary Forgeline Quality and Customer Service

The last time AudiBoost wrote about the USP Motorsports B5 S4 it just became the first 8 second Audi in the United States. This was just over two years ago as their shop S4 managed an incredible 8.973 @ 162.27 miles per hour.
The record now is 8.893 @ 164.56. Just look at the record pass in the video below. This car is handful to hustle down the strip and that is putting mildly.
As a reminder this car features a turbo VR6 engine swap. It makes over 900 horsepower to all four wheels. AudiBoost does not know if they changed anything on the setup or if conditions helped but this is a new record and a hell of a B5 S4.

The fallout from the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal continues as countries launch their own probes into various manufacturers. Volkswagen settled in the US but the Porsche parent company is running into trouble in South Korea now along with BMW and Nissan.
So what is happening in South Korea? This:
South Korea will likely get some money in fines and the companies will stop selling the affected models that the government found not to be compliant. Porsche already stopped sales and BMW and Nissan will clarify their positions which means trying to get out of paying any fines and try to keep selling the cars.
The foreign car market in Korea is relatively small so if they push too hard companies may just pull out. VW probably has had enough of paying fines.
Source

The B58 engine is starting to make a name for itself in the BMW aftermarket. Just the other day BimmerBoost posted an F30 340i with the Pure Turbos Stage 1 turbocharger upgrade and methanol injection courtesy of Fuel-It! that made 481 horsepower to the wheels.
This is that exact same 340i racing a stock C7 Z06. A stock C7 Z06 LT4 motor makes over 600 lb-ft of torque at the wheels and horsepower in the upper 500's. The car is slightly lighter and makes much more power and torque than this 340i.
It is no surprise the BMW loses here but it is realistic for a modded 340i to take on a Z06 especially as tuning and fueling are fleshed out on the B58 motor.
BMW 340i - JB4, Pure Stage 1 turbo, BMS intake, BMS meth kit (480 wheel hp)
C7 Z06- Stock

Auto Bild in Germany decided to do a drag race (poorly) the BMW F22 M240i and the Porsche 718 Cayman. This is the standard Cayman with a 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque 2.0 liter flat-four. It is giving up a liter and two cylinders to the F22 M240i B58 I6.
Yet the lighter Cayman still wins. The PDK transmission no doubt helps. We do not get an in car view for whatever reason and you would think Auto Bild could do a bit better. There also isn't a video of the launch as they pan when the cars are already moving, strange. They also just provide the elapsed times and no trap speeds. Why do they suck so badly at this?
Still, if you have an M240i and want to beat a Cayman or Cayman S, get a tune (and a downpipe).

It begins. Porsche, Audi, Ford, BMW, and Mercedes announced they will work on creating a standardized charging network along European highways. What does this mean? It means they are trying to become the standard for EV charging and it is a direct shot at Tesla which has been trying to expand into Europe.
Imagine for a moment if Porsche, BMW, Audi, Ford, and Mercedes all decide on a charging standard for their cars that is not compatible with Tesla vehicles. Imagine if they have this network in place on European highways. Well, you can probably imagine Europeans would not opt for a car that would not be able to utilize this network.
This is still far away but everyone involved here is not just entering into an agreement for fun. They are hedging their bets for the future and want to come up on top once gasoline and diesels are pushed aside (more accurately, outlawed).
Porsche is aiming at launching their first all electric vehicle in 2020. If a charging network is in place by then it will be a strong incentive for European sales.
Joint Venture to deploy a high-powered DC charging network for battery electric vehicles (BEV) covering long-distance travel routes in Europe
Power levels up to 350 kW significantly reduce charging time compared to available systems
Build-up of about 400 ultra-fast charging sites planned in Europe
Network is based on the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard which uses a connector that is fully compatible with most current and next generations BEVs
Unprecedented collaboration of the automakers would form a brand-independent network for charging infrastructure
Stuttgart, November 29, 2016 – BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the highest-powered charging network in Europe. The goal is the quick build-up of a sizable number of stations in order to enable long-range travel for battery electric vehicle drivers. This will be an important step towards facilitating mass-market BEV adoption.
The projected ultra-fast high-powered charging network with power levels up to 350 kW will be significantly faster than the most powerful charging system deployed today. The build-up is planned to start in 2017. An initial target of about 400 sites in Europe is planned. By 2020 the customers should have access to thousands of high-powered charging points. The goal is to enable long-distance travel through open-network charging stations along highways and major thoroughfares, which has not been feasible for most BEV drivers to date. The charging experience is expected to evolve to be as convenient as refueling at conventional gas stations.
The network will be based on Combined Charging System (CCS) standard technology. The planned charging infrastructure expands the existing technical standard for AC- and DC charging of electric vehicles to the next level of capacity for DC fast charging with up to 350 kW. BEVs that are engineered to accept this full power of the charge stations can recharge brand-independently in a fraction of the time of today’s BEVs. The network is intended to serve all CCS equipped vehicles to facilitate the BEV adoption in Europe.
BMW Group“This high-power charging network provides motorists with another strong argument to move towards electric mobility”, says Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “The BMW Group has initiated numerous public charging infrastructure projects over the last years. The joint project is another major milestone clearly demonstrating that competitors are combining forces to ramp-up e-mobility.”
Daimler AG“The breakthrough of e-mobility requires two things: convincing vehicles and a comprehensive charging infrastructure. With our new brand EQ, we are launching our electric product offensive: by 2025, our portfolio will include more than ten fully electric passenger cars. Together with our partners, we are now installing the highest-powered charging infrastructure in Europe”, says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "The availability of high-power stations allows long-distance e-mobility for the first time and will convince more and more customers to opt for an electric vehicle.”
Ford Motor Company “A reliable, ultra-fast charging infrastructure is important for mass consumer adoption and has the potential to transform the possibilities for electric driving”, says Mark Fields, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “Ford is committed to developing vehicles and technologies that make people’s lives better, and this charging network will make it easier and more practical for customers across Europe to own electrified vehicles.”
AUDI AG“We intend to create a network that allows our customers on long-distance trips to use a coffee break for recharging”, says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “Reliable fast charging services are a key factor for drivers to choose an electric vehicle. With this cooperation we want to boost a broader market adoption of e-mobility and speed up the shift towards emission-free driving.”
Porsche AG“There are two decisive aspects for us: ultra-fast charging and placing the charging stations at the right positions”, says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “Together, these two factors enable us to travel in an all-electrically powered car as in a conventional combustion engine vehicle. As automobile manufacturer, we actively shape our future, not only by developing all-electrically powered vehicles but by building up the necessary infrastructure as well.”
The automobile manufacturers intend to make substantial investments to create the network, underscoring each company’s belief in the future of electric mobility. While the founding partners – BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen Group – will be equal partners in the Joint Venture, other automobile manufacturers will be encouraged to participate in the network to help establish convenient charging solutions for BEV customers. The Joint Venture is also open for cooperations with regional partners.
The Joint Venture formation is subject to execution of definitive agreements and merger control approval in various jurisdictions.

We all know the 918 Spyder is quick and fast. A PorscheBoost member has run 10 flat in his at 144+ miles per hour. We all also know Nissan GTR's can be upgraded to put out absurd horsepower. That hardly makes the car the 918's equal though. You can make anything fast in a straight line.
Still, it certainly is impressive how quickly this GTR moves. Well, once it catches up. In the first run the 918 Spyder jumps and it takes the GTR a while to catch and pass it. The second run has a better start or the GTR and it pulls much more quickly.
Now how about running them on a roadcourse and seeing what happens? Frankly, who cares. Is there really anyone on the planet that would rather have a Nissan GTR than the engineering masterpiece that is the 918 Spyder?

Twin turbo built motor Gallardo V10's and R8's make huge power, we all know that. They have for the most part been doing this on the factory block with reinforcements. A ground up billet V10 block design will be much stronger and be able to take a bigger beating and that is exactly what UGR and Dallas Performance are offering.
Dallas Performance announced theirs first but UGR quickly fired back:
Which design is better? Good question. Both are likely extremely capable and it probably comes down to preference and cost.

It is nice that there will be another option in the sport sedan sector to challenge the BMW M3, Mercedes-AMG C63, and Cadillac ATS-V. Alfa Romeo is bringing Italian style and performance to the market but it comes at $73,595 which puts it above the competition save for the C63 S.
Is it worth the money? 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque are stout numbers but we will reserve judgement until we see a dyno. The claimed 7:32 Nurburgring laptime is also very impressive although they did not back it up with any proof. They originally claimed a 7:39 time also with no proof.
This is poised to be a fantastic driver's car with the manual but the US will not get that option. We will instead get an 8-speed automatic. Maybe Alfa will with later models provide a manual but it certainly is a disappointment.
We will all learn soon enough how the car really stacks up to the competition.

Road and Track compared several of the new 2017 991.2 generation Porsche 911 models along with the 2016 911 GT3 RS. It is always interesting to see how many variants of the 911 platform Porsche has and how they stack up especially with the Carrera now being turbocharged.
So what is the best choice of this group? The answer to that is likely the one you can afford. The greatest value is the standard Carrera, no question. They tested a 7-speed manual version and it is a good value at $97k in this company and also the lightest of the group at 3229 pounds. Yes, even lighter than the GT3 RS.
Weights (lbs.):
3229 - 2017 991.2 Carrera manual
3292 - 2016 GT3 RS
3510 - 2017 Carrera 4S
3514 - 2017 Carrera S Cabriolet
3563 - 2017 911 Turbo S
If you opt for all wheel drive in a 911 the penalty is close to 300 pounds. The heaviest combo would be an all wheel drive convertible but they did not test this. The Turbo S is the heaviest car out of the group and a Turbo S convertible would likely be the heaviest 911 for sale.
Still, you can have your 911 is basically any flavor. If you want a lightweight and rear wheel drive 911 the Carrera fits the bill. It's pretty quick too. Note that the PDK Would be much quicker and faster than the manual:
1/4 mile times:
12.4 @ 114.9 is not bad at all. Especially considering the PDK version will run 11.9 @ 118. The Carrera 4S is offering 997.1 generation 911 Turbo performance which is incredible. With a couple upgrades it will be right on the tail of the drag race champ which of course is the 911 Turbo S.
With the 991.2 Porsche gave the Turbo S different, bigger turbochargers and you see the dividends in the performance numbers. The GT3 RS is surprisingly not far off the trap speed despite less power, torque, and the rear wheel drive layout.
The GT3 RS is obviously the top choice for someone who wants the closest thing to a 911 race car for the street. It is also incredibly expensive and will be replaced soon with the 991.2 generation car.
So which is truly the best of this group? For the dollar, it's impossible to beat the Carrera. Is the Turbo S really $100k better than the Carrera or Carrera S? No way. Road and Track picks the Turbo S as the choice of the group but when you're spending imaginary money why not just say the 918 Spyder is the car to get in the Porsche lineup?
All of these are fantastic cars. There is no loser. The choice is simply what is best for you and your bank account.

Prior-Design is again doing their best Black Series widebody impression on a Mercedes S-Class. The result? Well, the S-Class coupe certainly looks meaner although the body work is not as clean as it would be from the factory. The front fender vents being the main area that stands out.
On a black car a kit like this can work. It helps hide some of the lines. The rear fenders look great compared to the front. The side skirts and front lip look great as well.
What is included? The following:
PD75SC WB Front Bumper
PD75SC WB Front Add-On Lip Spoiler
PD75SC WB Front Intakes Frames
PD75SC WB Sideskirts + Sideskirts Add-On Lip
PD75SC WB Rear Bumper
PD75SC WB Diffusor
PD75SC WB Diffusor Lower Add-on Spoiler
PD75SC WB Front Fenders
PD75SC WB Rear Widenings
How much money? You have to call and ask. Overall this is just for someone who really wants to stand out. The hood is a bit much and a bit boy racer for an S-Class.
Thoughts?

APR released cast downpipes for the 4.0 TFSI V8 in the S6, S7, RS6, and RS7 earlier this year. The S8 requires different fitment so it was not included in the initial release but APR has S8 owners now covered with a cast downpipe option along with ECU tuning software.
The downpipes make a pretty large difference on the 4.0 TFSI V8 as we already saw in S7 and RS7 applications.
Here's a quick overview on the downpipes:
More power and better response
Expect a decrease in turbo lag with power and torque gains as high as 59 HP and 95 FT-LBS of torque over APR Stage I!
Full 76mm downpipe system
The APR system is a full downpipe upgrade as it replaces the kinked 60mm catalyst cross pipes and resonated midpipes with straight through, 76mm mandrel-bent tubing.
Port-matched investment-cast downpipe inlets
The factory inlets are restrictive. APR’s cast system allows for massive, port-matched inlets that smoothly neck down over a long distance. The result is improved flow, better response and more power.
Dual, high-flow catalysts
GESI’s encapsulated catalysts are known for their strength and performance. Expect lower emissions, reduced noise and less exhaust smell compared to catless setups, all without negatively impacting performance to over 1,000 HP. Furthermore, with the catalyst moved, expect a cooler engine bay!
T304L stainless steel construction
Premium grade T304L stainless steel resists corrosion and stands the test of time.
Argon back-purged TIG welding
Clean, strong and attractive welds both inside and outside the pipes.
OEM-style low-profile slip-on clamps
The APR slip-clamps are easy to use, resist leaks and pipe deformation better than swedged setup, are lower profile than vbands and flanges and don’t require replacement gaskets.
OEM-style internally-corrugated flex sections
APR’s flex sections are internally corrugated to increase flow and prevent failures common with braided flex sections.
Investment cast secondary oxygen sensor bungs
APR’s obsession to details resulted in investment cast oxygen sensor bungs that sit on top of the piping, preventing material from protruding into the exhaust stream, disrupting flow.
Compatible with the OEM catback exhaust
Bolt-on and go! The system is fully compatible with the factory catback exhaust.
Designed, assembled and quality controlled in-house
All critical aspects of the system are handled internally to ensure the highest quality fit and finish.
All hardware and instructions included
New OEM gaskets, oxygen sensor harnesses, clamps, brackets and install instructions are included to make the install as headache free as possible.
APR Stage II ECU Upgrade price waived
With every APR downpipe purchase comes a free upgrade to Stage II from Stage I, saving consumers hundreds of dollars!
Limited lifetime warranty
The best system on the market also carry the best warranty in the industry!
More power and better response
Ok, so these are catted downpipes and if you have the Stage I ECU tune software you get a free upgrade to the Stage II software with the purchase of the downpipes. That's a pretty nice deal.
Now as far as the efficiency gains, compare the factory design to APR's design:
It's no wonder these pick up big power. Just under 600 to the wheels on 91 octane fuel:
616 horsepower to the wheels on 93 octane fuel and an absurd 675 lb-ft of torque at the wheels:
There aren't any race gas graphs but one would have to think with a race fuel tune going over 700 lb-ft is possible. Yes, still on the factory turbochargers.
The downpipes cost $1999.99 and the S8 adapter is $149.99: http://www.goapr.com/products/apr_exhaust_cast_downpipe_40t.html
This is a must have option for those who want the most power and torque out of their S8 or 4.0 TFSI V8.

In case you needed more convincing that the 991.2 Turbo S is the real deal here you go. The R8 V10 Plus is no slouch but it simply is not a match for the new Porsche 911 Turbo S. Forced induction simply offers a great advantage and the R8 with its naturally aspirated 5.2 liter V10 can't compete.
Both cars launch off the start and by the 1/2 mile marker the Turbo S is pulling 160.59 miles per hour compared to the R8's 153.47 miles per hour. Unfortunately, we only get a chase view.
Now, with turbos the R8 easily changes the result and puts down insane performance but stock for stock the 911 Turbo S is the faster car and very impressive.

A long time ago Hamann was a respected BMW tuner. Now? They are a joke. Why? Because their 'tuning' consists of body kits and wheels. Hamann is the ultimate sellout. They realized long ago why should they bother doing any actual tuning work when spoilers and wheels require far less effort and generate far more profit?
If you are someone out there who wants teal wheels on your M2 by all means call up Hamann. What is the tuning here? A front lip, side skirts, a spoiler, and wheels that will actually slow the car down?
Hamann claims to bump the car up to 420 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque which should offset the performance lost by the increased drag and heavier wheels but of course does not provide a dyno to support any of their claims. That is what a company posing a tuner does.
Hamann is nothing more than someone who rebrands springs and offers cosmetic upgrades. If you want serious tuning for your M2, look elsewhere.

An 'S' designation for a 911 Turbo usually means a hardware differentiation over the standard Turbo. For example, the Porsche 996 Turbo S included the X50 package with larger K24 turbos over the standard 911 Turbo with K16 turbos. This meant the S version not only was faster stock but also gained more power with a tune.
With the 991.1 Turbo generation Porsche gave the 911 Turbo and the 911 Turbo S the same turbochargers. Why? Well, it saves money for one. However, the 991.1 Turbo S showed inconsistent performance.
Testing from Cobb showed the ECU pulling timing and cutting power. As a matter of fact, the 991.1 Turbo S with bolt on modifications could not match the 997.2 in performance with similar mods.
The 991.2 generation Turbo S changes all of this as it is performing like a tuned 991.1 Turbo S out of the box. Over 130 mile per hour in the 1/4 mile and low 10 second passes. This is an easy 9 second car with a tune.
The new turbochargers with larger impellers, revised cylinder heads, and new tune are making a huge difference. Expect 9's at over 135 miles per hour with bolt ons. In other words, actually getting your money's worth for the S model.

You likely already know that Mercedes-AMG has an AMG GT3 race car. That vehicle utilizes the naturally aspirated 6.2 liter M156 powerplant. What engine does the GT4 have? Good question. Nobody except Mercedes-AMG seems to know the answer.
Considering the start of the season with the 24 Hours of Daytona is not too far away it seems Mercedes-AMG will not be ready to deliver this car until well into 2017. Riley Motorsports will be the team running the car.
Basically, this will be a car for customer racers to compete with. That is about all the Mercedes-AMG press release states at this time.
It is very cool that AMG continues to expand its motorsports portfolio.
Affalterbach (GER). The AMG Customer Sports involvement keeps growing continuously: the latest element is the development of a race car to GT4 regulations. At the occasion of the end-of-season celebration 2016 (Saturday, 3 December), Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH gave customer teams and drivers a first preview of the new Mercedes-AMG GT4.
The Mercedes-AMG GT R that was presented this year is the basis for the development of the new race car. The top athlete in the Mercedes-AMG portfolio has excellent characteristics for motorsport purposes. Like with the AMG GT3 race car, particular user-friendliness and an excellent level of safety will be highly important goals during the development process of the new member of the AMG motorsport family.
Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “The development of the Mercedes-AMG GT4 is another important step in the continuing expansion of our Mercedes-AMG motorsport programme. The excellent feedback of our Customer Sports teams concerning the AMG GT3 and the increasing interest for GT4 race cars strengthened us in our decision. We are delighted to address an even larger target group of amateur and professional drivers and teams in the future with it.”& nbsp;
Further information about AMG Customer Sports can be found at www.mercedes-amg.com/customersports